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Thursday, October 16, 2008

Definitions

I am always using abbreviations when I am posting a blog, and I am not sure if I have explained what they all stand for, so I thought I would start a list:

NICU - Neonatal intensive care unit

ROP- Retinopathy of prematurity

CPAP - Continuous positive air pressure - A nasal CPAP device consists of a large tube with tiny prongs that fit into the baby's nose, which is hooked to a machine that provides oxygenated air into the baby's air passages and lungs. The pressure from the CPAP machine helps keep a preemie's lungs open so he or she can breathe. However, the machine does not provide breaths for the baby, so the baby breathes on his or her own.

PDA-Pantent ductus arteriosus, an opening in a heart valve that normally closes after normal full term birth. In preemies, there is a chance it stays open. Usually treated with medicine- a blood thinner that relaxes it and closes it. Or if needed a quick minor surgery to close the valve.

PICC line -Peripherally inserted central catheter

VP Shunt - Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a surgery performed to relieve pressure inside the skull (intracranial pressure) caused by water on the brain (hydrocephalus). The fluid is drawn off (shunted) from the ventricles of the brain into the abdominal cavity or in rare instances, into the pleural space in the chest.

EVD - External Ventricular Drainage, the EVD system uses a catheter (a thin, plastic tube) which is placed in the ventricle of the brain. This is connected to a drainage system (see diagram). The drainage system works by using gravity.